When Disaster Strikes in Canton

8/28/2020 (Permalink)

Lightning could be the cause of major disaster in your home or business.

Lightning strikes might not be the most common disaster to befall a person but they can cause substantial property damage. In the United States, there was a total of 109,049 lightning claims for property damage in 2016. Most commonly, the damage is due to electrical surges damaging components or wiring. Power surges from transformer or service line shorts are also often contributing factors. Consider that in less than a microsecond, a lightning discharge can generate up to 200,000 amps of electricity.

Lightning is caused by an electric potential difference (a voltage) being created between one cloud and another, or between a cloud and the ground. A charge of electrons builds upon the higher cloud while a lack of electrons occurs on the lower part. When lightning strikes a structure, wood and other flammable building materials can easily be ignited when lightning comes in contact or passes through them. Electrical surges are caused when lightning strikes near a power line causing an increase in the amount of electrical current flowing to a wall outlet. This extra burst of electricity is often too much for a surge protector to handle, which can lead to computer and appliance damage. Lightning is the most common natural cause of wildfires.

The latest data available states that fire departments respond to an average of 22,600 fires per year started by lightning. These fires cause an average of nine civilian deaths and $451 million in direct property damage per year. Home fires accounted for 19% of lightning fires while non-residential properties accounted for 7%.

So how can you prevent lightning damage to your home or business property? The key to avoiding lightning damage is to channel the lightning to the ground without allowing it to damage the structure or anything else of value along the way. A professional whole-building surge protection system can be installed that takes your entire structure, surrounding structures, and landscaping into consideration when grounding for lightning strikes. Systems should be certified and approved. Of course, this type of protection is expensive so here are some optional ways to protect property and the lives of the people inside:

1. Lightning rods can help direct lightning strikes safely away from a property if properly installed. Unfortunately, lightning might not strike the lightning rod because it does not attract lightning. If hit, however, it will channel the lightning to the ground.
2. Keep taller trees a safe distance from your property.
3. Unplug or disconnect appliances, internet, antennas, satellite dishes, and electrical equipment when you first hear the clap of thunder.
4. Install surge protectors. They can help but are not foolproof if the strike is powerful.
5. Connect telephone, cable/satellite TV, and network lines to a surge suppressor.
6. Stay away from all plumbing during a lightning storm as the pipes of the property make excellent conductors.
7. Stay off the landline phone. 4-5% of people struck by lightning were talking on corded phones.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent a lightning strike, but you can reduce the likelihood of damage or injury by implementing the strategies outlined above. When you hear thunder or see lightning in the sky, take precaution, and protect yourself and your property.